Long time since I posted on this forum as I had been doing quite ok. I am having problems with my hearing in my good ear.The bad ear is pretty worthless as far as hearing goes. I also have very little balance system left. Have done PT therapy which keeps me functioning. I found out both balance sytems are not good a couple of years ago. I had sudden hearing loss in both ears at the end of January and took a 10 day round of steroids. Hearing came back. This latest round is lots of recruitment going on and I got tested on Wednesday and was only down about 5db in some frequencies. Today it seems like it has gone to hell again. I am also noticing some balance type issues when I get up in the night. I'm afraid that the whole kit and caboodle is going to happen to my good ear now too. The doc I saw gave me the lecture on how steroids are bad for your health,etc when I mentioned taking them again. Just wanted to vent a bit as I am lucky in that now I haven't had any vertigo and my understanding is that since both balance systems are not good that this is one of the only good things about itl Just wanted to hear from some other bilateral people if they have any advice on coping with this?
"..Even if one does become bilateral, usually the second ear is affected only to a mild extent -- perhaps a little tinnitus or fullness." - Dr. Hain
I hear ya James! I have one deaf ear and one with cochlear hydrops. I was told when i had sudden hearing loss in that ear it was classified as ‘a medical emergency.’ Was the doc you saw a specialist? What is his alternative approach if he thinks two rounds of steroids are not ok? Can you change doctors? Also. Have you already tried antivirals? Just asking because they are what kept my good ear and balance nerve functioning. After that for me, it is a cochlear implant. Good luck.
Thanks Pupper,Thanks June The doc I saw was an ent.I only did one 10 day treatment. From what I am reading and what i remember when this happened years ago,you stay on a high dose for 2 weeks.I was on 60mg for only 3 days before I began the taper.I know it is a narrow window to start the treatment. The doc I saw and the doctor who is the head of the clinic are very conservative when giving any meds. If this continues I will try to get into my old clinic.It's a holiday here and things don't open again until Tuesday. I did anti-virals years ago. Started taking l-lysine again. I'm thinking cochlear implant down the road too.. I hope not but I'm glad there is an option. Hope you don't ever need one either! Great to see you are still on the board!